Iced Coffee Bar

One of my favorite things to do when entertaining is having some sort of "bar."  It allows my guests to customize what they are having while also having them interact and have something to talk about.  It's always "hey what are you having" "what did you put in yours."  

For the recent Stella and Dot Trunk Show I recently hosted, I thought I would do some sweet treats and what goes better with sweets than coffee?  Well, nothing except when its 80 degrees out.  So, I decided to do an iced coffee bar.  I have to tell you, it was a hit!  

 Start the day before with a pound of ground coffee.

 Pour it into a large container

 And add 2 gallons of cold water.

Give it a stir and pop it in the fridge preferably over night. 

The next day it will look a bit like this…sludge.  

 Prep a strainer with some cheese cloth.  We ended up straining it twice, once like this an once with cheesecloth and a coffee filter that we deconstructed.

 Pour it through the strainer and into a pretty serving pitcher.  If you are just using it for yourself, pop it in a container that has a lid so you can enjoy it all week!

 To serve, fill a glass with lots of ice, and pour the coffee over the top.

 For some decadence, drizzle in some sweetened condensed milk.  This was my all time favorite.

 Pour in a little half and half, milk or if you are feeling naughty a little heavy cream.

If you like things even sweeter, a little vanilla syrup takes things over the top! 

 Give it a quick stir

And this is the best iced coffee you will ever drink!

I loved having an iced coffee bar at the party!! Be sure to stock lots of ice, milk, cream, half and half, flavored syrups (I had vanilla and hazelnut), along with a simple syrup since regular sugar won't dissolve as nicely since the coffee is cold.  Have an iced coffee bar at your next party and I think you, and your guests will really enjoy it!

Iced Coffee Bar

For the Iced Coffee:
1 pound ground coffee
2 gallons cold water

For the Bar:
Simple Syrup (recipe below)
Half and half
Heavy Cream
Milk
Flavored syrups (hazelnut, vanilla, cinnamon ect…)
Sweetened condensed milk
Lots of ice

To Prepare:

The day before, pour the coffee into a large container.  Pour in the cold water and give it a good stir.  Place a cover on the top and into the fridge it goes for at least 4 hours…preferably over night.

Once the coffee has sat for at least 4 hours, line a fine mesh strainer with a deconstructed coffee filter and cheese cloth.  Pour the coffee mixture to strain over a large container.  If you are serving the coffee, pour it into a pretty container and place in the fridge until you are ready to serve.  If you are having it for yourself, just  be sure to put it into a container with a lid so you can enjoy it all week.

To Serve:

Fill a large glass with ice and pour in the iced coffee but be sure to leave room for the accouterments.
Customize you and your guests drinks by adding the half and half, cream, milk, flavored syrups and sweetened condensed milk to your taste!

Enjoy!

Coffee recipe via: Pioneer Woman


**Simple Syrup

1 cup water
1 cup white sugar

Combine the sugar and water in a medium sauce pan on medium high heat.  Bring to a boil and reduce to medium.  Stir until the sugar dissolves and turn off the heat and remove from the burner.

Let the syrup cool and place in the fridge until cold.  Use the syrup for any cocktail or drink that calls for sugar as a sweetener.

Enjoy!